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Walter Ghost #2
Dead Man Inside
A wealthy dilletante is on the trail of a killer with a penchant for theatrics in this cozy mystery by the author of Murder on "B" Deck.
A strange sight greets Chicago haberdashery clerk Rufus Ker as he prepares to begin his workday by unlocking the door to Bluefield, Inc. A sign is attached to the glass. It DEAD MAN INSIDE! I AM DEAD. THIS STORE WILL NOT OPEN TO-DAY.
Once inside, Rufus is relieved to discover the shop is still in one piece and assumes the sign to be a prank. But no one is laughing when Rufus realizes the dummy in the window is no dummy at all. It's the body of his boss, Amos Bluefield, and unfortunately this is only the beginning . . .
Scientist, explorer, and former intelligence officer Walter Ghost has come to Chicago to research some history, but after a stint in the hospital due to appendicitis, he quickly finds himself investigating a string of puzzling murders. Ghost is certainly no stranger to playing detective, but if he's not careful, he's about to get more familiar with the hospital . . .
A strange sight greets Chicago haberdashery clerk Rufus Ker as he prepares to begin his workday by unlocking the door to Bluefield, Inc. A sign is attached to the glass. It DEAD MAN INSIDE! I AM DEAD. THIS STORE WILL NOT OPEN TO-DAY.
Once inside, Rufus is relieved to discover the shop is still in one piece and assumes the sign to be a prank. But no one is laughing when Rufus realizes the dummy in the window is no dummy at all. It's the body of his boss, Amos Bluefield, and unfortunately this is only the beginning . . .
Scientist, explorer, and former intelligence officer Walter Ghost has come to Chicago to research some history, but after a stint in the hospital due to appendicitis, he quickly finds himself investigating a string of puzzling murders. Ghost is certainly no stranger to playing detective, but if he's not careful, he's about to get more familiar with the hospital . . .
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1931
53 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Vincent Starrett
194 books31 followersAKA Charles Vincent Starrett, or Charles Starrett
Vincent Starrett was a book collector, author, bibliographer, and a Sherlock Holmes scholar. He has been referred to as part of Chicago's "literary renaissance” and has written or edited more than 50 books of essays, criticism, fiction, biography, poetry, and bibliography.
Vincent Starrett was a book collector, author, bibliographer, and a Sherlock Holmes scholar. He has been referred to as part of Chicago's "literary renaissance” and has written or edited more than 50 books of essays, criticism, fiction, biography, poetry, and bibliography.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 5, 2024
I've had trouble with this author in the past (at least with the novels re-released through the American Mystery Classics line) - including DNFs and 1 stars - so this was beyond a pleasant surprise.
I couldn't resist the premise - a series of bizarre murders in Old Chicago, per the subtitle - and I'm glad I gave it a shot, because it's pretty darn good. The murders happen in fairly quick succession, and the detecting starts not long after the third one. We follow a few different sets of characters, who are pursuing various avenues on the various cases - but almost everyone agrees that it's likely that all of the murders were committed by the same person. But why? The victims don't appear to have anything in common, and while they were killed in the same manner, they were rather grotesquely displayed, and the displays didn't really have anything in common, beyond being displays.
The main amatuer detective, Walter Ghost, is a bit of a gasbag, but he's the first one to suspect who the killer is, and goes off in search of a motive. What he finds does indeed tie everything together; if I had read this book in one sitting, I would've cottoned on the culprit myself faster than I did - but I did guess correctly, which is always a plus :) The motive makes sense, but carrying a grudge for twenty years is certainly a choice. Not that I blame him, really.
The ending is also extra good, as the characters almost become aware of being in a novel, and the final sentence is *chef's kiss* I've never seen the words "The End" so perfectly positioned before, LOL.
Even if you haven't liked previous works by this author, if this premise interests you, give this one a shot. The pace moves along pretty nicely, and we aren't stuck in one character's head the entire time. The little clues sprinkled throughout come together nicely in the end, and aren't super-obvious "I AM A CLUE" while you're reading it.
I couldn't resist the premise - a series of bizarre murders in Old Chicago, per the subtitle - and I'm glad I gave it a shot, because it's pretty darn good. The murders happen in fairly quick succession, and the detecting starts not long after the third one. We follow a few different sets of characters, who are pursuing various avenues on the various cases - but almost everyone agrees that it's likely that all of the murders were committed by the same person. But why? The victims don't appear to have anything in common, and while they were killed in the same manner, they were rather grotesquely displayed, and the displays didn't really have anything in common, beyond being displays.
The main amatuer detective, Walter Ghost, is a bit of a gasbag, but he's the first one to suspect who the killer is, and goes off in search of a motive. What he finds does indeed tie everything together; if I had read this book in one sitting, I would've cottoned on the culprit myself faster than I did - but I did guess correctly, which is always a plus :) The motive makes sense, but carrying a grudge for twenty years is certainly a choice. Not that I blame him, really.
The ending is also extra good, as the characters almost become aware of being in a novel, and the final sentence is *chef's kiss* I've never seen the words "The End" so perfectly positioned before, LOL.
Even if you haven't liked previous works by this author, if this premise interests you, give this one a shot. The pace moves along pretty nicely, and we aren't stuck in one character's head the entire time. The little clues sprinkled throughout come together nicely in the end, and aren't super-obvious "I AM A CLUE" while you're reading it.
August 19, 2023
When a dead man is found in the window of his own prosperous haberdashery, the city of Chicago--used to the normal run of murders by gangsters and bootleggers--goes wild. This historic novel, party of the American mystery classics series, is enjoyable, and despite certain dated elements has a motive that readers will recognize as surprisingly up-to-date. For some reason, Starrett feels that the story is improved by the strange names he gives his chaaracters--Dr. Rainfall, the actor whose last name is Ridinghood, the witness and her father named Moment, and of course his reluctant detective Walter Ghost.
August 4, 2023
A strong last couple of pages almost redeem this, but wow, for most of its length it's quite tiresomely "witty" and "urbane." It's especially odd in that those last few are so much more psychologically acute and emotive than what we have to plod through over the first 90% of the book. Here are a few choice examples of the kind of phraseology you have to endure 235pp of to make it to that ending: (97) "The new generation looks at the old doctor pityingly, Howard--observing his thinning hair and his pathetic little limp. But there's life in the old dog yet! Alas, I am forty-two years of age....That seems pretty ancient to a spry youth like yourself, I suppose." Or this thriller (125): "He had vowed, after the Latakia murders [the previous American Mystery Classics reissue of a Starrett novel, Murder on "B" Deck, which also underwhelmed], forever to eschew the excitements of detection; yet here he was again--a sober student and booklover--in the thick of murderous contemporaneous events!" (That one's even got an exclamation point for extra energy.) And this (156): "In other parts of the city other newsboys were similarly advertising their profession. Out of the jumble of sounds thus broadcast there emerged a name, upon hearing which interested persons purchased copies of the extra edition." So...yeah. If that's your notion of engaging prose, have at it. I was actively resentful for most of this book--though, granted, the conclusion somewhat balances what came before.
June 25, 2023
This is the 2nd of three Walter Ghost Mysteries. I actually enjoy this "detective" and wished there were more in this series. The first one, had a bit more zany bits than the second. In this one, the murders that take place have a highly theatrical element (which I am partial to) and sets one up to try and untangle a puzzle that is unique. Almost a third of the book goes by before Walter Ghost enters. And once he does, the un-puzzling begins! Before the end I had a good idea of who it was that was guilty; did that make the ending less good, no. It is handled in an interesting manner.
The distinctive element to this series is that Walter Ghost brings out the observant and questioning element of Starrett's writing. He has the writing style of the 1930's and one that has certainly read, wrote and lived before WW1. I cannot comment on any introduction to this book as I read a first edition not a reprint.
Look forward to book 3.
The distinctive element to this series is that Walter Ghost brings out the observant and questioning element of Starrett's writing. He has the writing style of the 1930's and one that has certainly read, wrote and lived before WW1. I cannot comment on any introduction to this book as I read a first edition not a reprint.
Look forward to book 3.
September 24, 2021
Interesting. It takes place in Chicago - so unless Starrett screws it up he's starting out with a couple of stars from me. It is my city. (Other people have screwed it up - got the geography, streets wrong, etc.)
A man goes to work. Sees a note on the door of the clothing store he works at - dead man inside. Another note inside says - I didn't open today because I am dead. Man looks around. Sure enough - he's dead. Several days later a famous general's statue is about to be unveiled in Lincoln Park (I'm pretty sure that Grant's is the only Civil War general's statue in Lincoln Park sitting on a horse). The workmen find a note - dead man inside. Look under the tarp. There is a dead man on the horse.
A famous actor is on tour with a show - may even be a mystery. He has given tickets to see it to Dr. Rainfall and Mr. Saxon, a sports editor on one of the local papers. He misses his cue. People rush backstage and find the actor sitting at his makeup table dead. A note is found on the floor - dead man inside.
Walter Ghost just happens to be in one of the local hospitals, a patient of Dr. Rainfall. He is intrigued by the story in the paper. Frankly, he'd just like to get out of town but there is apparently some recuperation time for appendicitis. He'd been doing research at the Newberry Library when he was stricken. He has a professor friend who has been after him for a visit. He will rehab there. Plus, it turns out that the daughter may have seen the murderer of the first man while out on a date. She tells the police she only saw his eyes and some shiny thing. She receives a warning note that she may be next.
Of course, Walter knows who the murderer is. And he is pretty sure fairly early on.
This is my second Walter Ghost story. There are only three. I have enjoyed them. Wish there were more. They aren't great literature. But they are okay little mysteries. Don't take too long for even me to read them.
A man goes to work. Sees a note on the door of the clothing store he works at - dead man inside. Another note inside says - I didn't open today because I am dead. Man looks around. Sure enough - he's dead. Several days later a famous general's statue is about to be unveiled in Lincoln Park (I'm pretty sure that Grant's is the only Civil War general's statue in Lincoln Park sitting on a horse). The workmen find a note - dead man inside. Look under the tarp. There is a dead man on the horse.
A famous actor is on tour with a show - may even be a mystery. He has given tickets to see it to Dr. Rainfall and Mr. Saxon, a sports editor on one of the local papers. He misses his cue. People rush backstage and find the actor sitting at his makeup table dead. A note is found on the floor - dead man inside.
Walter Ghost just happens to be in one of the local hospitals, a patient of Dr. Rainfall. He is intrigued by the story in the paper. Frankly, he'd just like to get out of town but there is apparently some recuperation time for appendicitis. He'd been doing research at the Newberry Library when he was stricken. He has a professor friend who has been after him for a visit. He will rehab there. Plus, it turns out that the daughter may have seen the murderer of the first man while out on a date. She tells the police she only saw his eyes and some shiny thing. She receives a warning note that she may be next.
Of course, Walter knows who the murderer is. And he is pretty sure fairly early on.
This is my second Walter Ghost story. There are only three. I have enjoyed them. Wish there were more. They aren't great literature. But they are okay little mysteries. Don't take too long for even me to read them.
December 4, 2025
For any graduate students in need of an M.A. thesis or PhD dissertation topic, you might be interested in Vincent Starrett and his Walter Ghost series. I believe that these otherwise lightly regarded, somewhat humorous novels about Ghost the detective are, in fact, employing a Brechtian approach. That is, there is intentional character disruption and, if you will, the use of the modernist playwright's V-effekt, or Alienation Effect. It starts with Ghost himself. The main character doesn't appear until almost a quarter of the way through this story--and he was late to appear in the first novel in the series, too. It's a drastic shift in third party point of view that disrupts the narrative from the beginning. As does the names Starrett assigns. Walter Ghost, every time it's encountered seems less like a name than the apparition of one. Then there is the father and daughter, Chandler Moment and Holly Moment. This aligns with many of the other characters living under assumed or changed names, leading to a general unease with just what is what and who is whom. There's more. Both of the first two novels also contain ongoing discussions of the nature of the detective mystery, making them self-reflexive, and distancing the reader from any cathartic identification with difficult to find heroes. It's not Mackie Messer going into a song after killing someone, but it works out to the same thing as far as disrupting traditional narratives and cathartic conclusions. And that latter point is reinforced in two consecutive endings of the Ghost stories that have no closure. I wonder if I'll see the same thing in the third Ghost novel.
March 15, 2023
This 1931 novel is the most recent in the American Mystery Classic series. It is OK.
In Chicago a mannequin in a men's shop window is switched with a dead body. There is a note taped to the window that says "Dead Man Inside. I am dead. The store will not open to-day."
In the next several days more bodies are found around the city with similar macabre notes. A statute is unveiled to disclose a dead body. A famous actor is killed in his dressing room. There is no apparent link between the victims.
It is a good premise. The investigation meanders around for a while. Eventually Walter Ghost, a wealthy scientist who happens to be in town, starts to investigate. We never really see him do much. He prides himself on being the anti-Sherlock. No disguises, no chases, just his analysis. He is given to saying things like, "I merely meant that I intended to give the case some thought-principally because it interests me and, being idle, I need something to interest me."
The book meanders around for a while. We get a passel of suspects and theories. At the end Ghost arrives with a whole set of brand-new facts which explain everything. The solution is wildly complicated and based on amazing coincidences. This is not a well-constructed mystery.
It also doesn't give much sense of Chicago of the day.
Starrett is also a pretty stiff writer. There is much more telling than showing and the plot can be hard to follow at times.
Overall, not one of the better ones from this excellent series.
In Chicago a mannequin in a men's shop window is switched with a dead body. There is a note taped to the window that says "Dead Man Inside. I am dead. The store will not open to-day."
In the next several days more bodies are found around the city with similar macabre notes. A statute is unveiled to disclose a dead body. A famous actor is killed in his dressing room. There is no apparent link between the victims.
It is a good premise. The investigation meanders around for a while. Eventually Walter Ghost, a wealthy scientist who happens to be in town, starts to investigate. We never really see him do much. He prides himself on being the anti-Sherlock. No disguises, no chases, just his analysis. He is given to saying things like, "I merely meant that I intended to give the case some thought-principally because it interests me and, being idle, I need something to interest me."
The book meanders around for a while. We get a passel of suspects and theories. At the end Ghost arrives with a whole set of brand-new facts which explain everything. The solution is wildly complicated and based on amazing coincidences. This is not a well-constructed mystery.
It also doesn't give much sense of Chicago of the day.
Starrett is also a pretty stiff writer. There is much more telling than showing and the plot can be hard to follow at times.
Overall, not one of the better ones from this excellent series.
May 17, 2023
This is my third classic mystery from Vincent Starrett, and the second one featuring Walter Ghost, all of which have been quite fun to read. As an added bonus, this one is also set in Chicago, my home town, giving me a glimpse of what the city used to be like between the wars.
The first warning, "dead man inside", was found by a store clerk opening a clothing shop. Thinking it a prank, he proceeds to ignore the note, only to find the owner in a gruesome pose. Next we have an unveiling of a statue, with another note. Sure enough, under the tarp lays a body. The last of the trio is an actor late for his cue, dead in his dressing room with a note on the floor.
Unfortunately for the killer, Walter Ghost is in town. Strike two is the fact that he's laid up recovering in a hospital and bored. Strike three is the fact that his friend's daughter might have seen the killer and might now be in danger. The ever-reluctant Mr. Ghost gets his brain in gear and realizes that he has to solve the case to protect the daughter.
Enjoy 1930's Chicago and an entertaining golden age American mystery.
The first warning, "dead man inside", was found by a store clerk opening a clothing shop. Thinking it a prank, he proceeds to ignore the note, only to find the owner in a gruesome pose. Next we have an unveiling of a statue, with another note. Sure enough, under the tarp lays a body. The last of the trio is an actor late for his cue, dead in his dressing room with a note on the floor.
Unfortunately for the killer, Walter Ghost is in town. Strike two is the fact that he's laid up recovering in a hospital and bored. Strike three is the fact that his friend's daughter might have seen the killer and might now be in danger. The ever-reluctant Mr. Ghost gets his brain in gear and realizes that he has to solve the case to protect the daughter.
Enjoy 1930's Chicago and an entertaining golden age American mystery.
September 10, 2024
I previously have found Starrett's mystery stories to be a middling, but this book was excellent. A series of murders occur, whose only apparent connection is a note left by the bodies reading 'Dead Man Inside.' The police only play a peripheral role here, and its our amateur sleuth who really shines. With a solid group of side characters/suspects, it was an enjoyable read. I generally don't make any serious attempt to solve the crime, but I think it might be possible with this one. Would definitely recommend.
March 31, 2023
It is not a modern thriller with all the twists and turns. This is a classic mystery, yes it is a slow read but it pays off in the end. What I love about Vincent Starrett's writing is that the dialogue is wonderful. It held me throughout this book.
The answer to the mystery surprised and delighted me. I also really enjoyed the other character's reactions to the truth.
A great classic mystery written by a talented writer.
The answer to the mystery surprised and delighted me. I also really enjoyed the other character's reactions to the truth.
A great classic mystery written by a talented writer.
May 22, 2023
I didn’t finish the book.
I was so tired of the nonsensical way the cast of characters were going about guessing who was guilty I lost all ability to care who did it. If that’s the way police went about solving murders there must have been many innocent people in prisons and guilty ones free. They made almost no attempt to find facts. Just made up stories according to their imaginations. No more by this author.
I was so tired of the nonsensical way the cast of characters were going about guessing who was guilty I lost all ability to care who did it. If that’s the way police went about solving murders there must have been many innocent people in prisons and guilty ones free. They made almost no attempt to find facts. Just made up stories according to their imaginations. No more by this author.
May 5, 2023
Excellent read
I had heard of Vincent Starrett because of his work with the Baker Street Irregulars, the Sherlock Holmes society in the United States. I did not know he was a mystery writer until recently. So I tried onr of these books and enjoyed it. If you like the Golden Age of mysteries, and this is a great one for you.
I had heard of Vincent Starrett because of his work with the Baker Street Irregulars, the Sherlock Holmes society in the United States. I did not know he was a mystery writer until recently. So I tried onr of these books and enjoyed it. If you like the Golden Age of mysteries, and this is a great one for you.
May 29, 2023
If You Enjoy Twists and Confusion, This is the One for You
I've never read Vincent Starrett before and I'm not sure I'll do it again, but I did enjoy some of the characters and the surprises. I never saw the the ending coming, it was completely unexpected. Of course, Walter Ghost wasn't blindsided like I was. What a great character. He has a Sherlock Holmes quality.
I've never read Vincent Starrett before and I'm not sure I'll do it again, but I did enjoy some of the characters and the surprises. I never saw the the ending coming, it was completely unexpected. Of course, Walter Ghost wasn't blindsided like I was. What a great character. He has a Sherlock Holmes quality.
February 8, 2024
This 1931 mystery novel is a decent read. The mystery is too complicated and not terribly interesting, but I enjoyed the witty writing style. Some fun wordplay and silly literary references (the cops are Kelly and Sheets, lol) helped. The first few paragraphs of every chapter, before the action really kicks in, usually made me laugh.
August 24, 2023
Cleverly plotted, and with an interesting story line, yet this left me curiously unsatisfied. Vincent Starrett created an intriguing character in Walter Ghost, used to good effect in Murder on B Deck, so I'm hoping that others in this series will prove more absorbing.
August 18, 2022
Not quite as good as the first book but still an odd interesting story
dnf
May 21, 2023I just don’t like the pacing or narration of this book.
June 14, 2023
Great read. Even though I guessed who it was, it was a good read. Loved the character Ghost.
October 22, 2025
I really enjoyed his other books, this one, not so much. It was borderline painful to finish. Read any other Starrett book before this one.
June 15, 2023
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